Kyle Lowry misunderstood?

So I went about my day as usual. Listening to my different sports podcasts that I usually listen. Had extra spare time so I listened to the ones I had miss last week. I fell on this BS report from last week. Bill Simmons interview Chad Ford about the draft and Zach Lowe about potential trades that could of happened. A real great listen.

What I really took away was their diagnosis of Kyle Lowry free agency and his persona. They both describe Lowry as an ass hole. Not for the reasons you think though. Zach Lowe goes on saying that Kyle is just such a competitor and cares so much about winning. That pretty much if you don't match his intensity and willingness to win that he could rub you the wrong way. I'd like to know what everybody's impression of Lowry is and if it's at all changed from the beginning of the season.

So I went about my day as usual. Listening to my different sports podcasts that I usually listen. Had extra spare time so I listened to the ones I had miss last week. I fell on this BS report from last week. Bill Simmons interview Chad Ford about the draft and Zach Lowe about potential trades that could of happened. A real great listen.

What I really took away was their diagnosis of Kyle Lowry free agency and his persona. They both describe Lowry as an ass hole. Not for the reasons you think though. Zach Lowe goes on saying that Kyle is just such a competitor and cares so much about winning. That pretty much if you don't match his intensity and willingness to win that he could rub you the wrong way. I'd like to know what everybody's impression of Lowry is and if it's at all changed from the beginning of the season.

I'm pretty sure calling KL an asshole is like Rondo and Kobe calling each other assholes. Feels more like respect. That's why I think having his running mate be a gym freak is such a good pairing.

Yep, there are good headcases and bad headcases. Rondo/Kobe/Lowry want to win so badly it makes them a little crazy.

Guys like Larry Bird are going to understand and recognize that. A guy like Daryl Morey, who is a numbers genius and less concerned about chemistry/personality, may discount it or be unwilling to put up with it.

The bad headcases are guys who don't care about the game (Bynum) or have serious character/mental issues (Tyrus Thomas). These guys tend to wash out of the league unless they have outrageous talent.

The key is telling which is which. Before this season I figured Demarcus Cousins was shaping up to be the latter but he has proven me wrong this season, taking on more of a leadership role. But it's hard to judge this stuff at a distance. A lot of Raps fans thought Ed Davis had a bad attitude and didn't want to be here until they saw how heartbroken he was to get traded.

Lowry should be comfortable now because there are at least two other guys on the team who feel just as he does: DeMar DeRozan and Tyler Hansbrough. Those guys leave it on the floor every single night. The intensity has to rub off on everyone else. I think that with the departure of Mr. Gay, having Lowry and DeRozan step forward as leaders by word and by example has transformed the team. The Raptors are a hell of a lot of fun to watch as a result. When there is a stoppage in play, watch Lowry talk to his teammates, you will see what I mean.

Yep, there are good headcases and bad headcases. Rondo/Kobe/Lowry want to win so badly it makes them a little crazy.

Guys like Larry Bird are going to understand and recognize that. A guy like Daryl Morey, who is a numbers genius and less concerned about chemistry/personality, may discount it or be unwilling to put up with it.

The bad headcases are guys who don't care about the game (Bynum) or have serious character/mental issues (Tyrus Thomas). These guys tend to wash out of the league unless they have outrageous talent.

The key is telling which is which. Before this season I figured Demarcus Cousins was shaping up to be the latter but he has proven me wrong this season, taking on more of a leadership role. But it's hard to judge this stuff at a distance. A lot of Raps fans thought Ed Davis had a bad attitude and didn't want to be here until they saw how heartbroken he was to get traded.

Looking at articles about DeMarcus, his attitude problems make a lot more sense. Going from being a consistent winner with a strong support system around him, to a bad organization without the same support system, high expectations, lots of losing, no veteran presence, and nobody to teach him how to deal and communicate with teammates who don't understand the game like he does?

Don't forget that this is the first time that Lowry has been given the reigns of a team. Every other team he's played for there's been a point guard controversy. Here the team was given to him, MU, TL and DC had a meeting with Kyle before the start of the season and layed out rules and expectations. I'm not sure what that meeting consisted of but MU has said Kyle has lived up to and exceeded to whatever it is they spoke about.

I really think MU's openness with players has also helped, a lot of times the uncertainty of your situation can bring out negative attitudes so knowing where u stand and what the teams plans are for you has to do a lot for a players mentality.

I like KL and I think the raptors like him, especially TL. They seem to have a similar thought process of demanding winning and excellence. Its refreshing for this raps fan.

Lowry is just so focussed on improving his game and winning that he doesn't really mince words. He's not looking to make friends out there on the court he's just looking for 4 other guys who want to win as badly as he does.

Another indication of how much he loves winning is that he probably leads the league this year in "camera bombing post game interviews after w's". I swear, after almost every win, he goes from in game psycho to krusty the clown (hey heyyyy!) Happiest kid in the arena jumping into the screen with a silly face

He might have a bad rep around the league but I love Lowry's no apologies, no bullshit attitude...he's a pit bull competitor and brings it on both ends of the floor...that attitude was exactly what this team was missing during the Bosh/Bargnani/Calderon era. I hope he re-signs and Masai offers him a long term $8-10mil contract to keep him here.

I would say that Kyle as a person is a decent guy and that's because he makes an effort to be that. He does not argue with referees "disrespectfully", he does not make controversial remarks with the media, he does not complain about the way he's being used by his Coach and so on. His passionate play on court can make it seem like he's not a nice guy but it's not true. By no means would I compare him with the likes of AI, World Peace or even Kobe Bryant.

I would say that Kyle as a person is a decent guy and that's because he makes an effort to be that. He does not argue with referees "disrespectfully", he does not make controversial remarks with the media, he does not complain about the way he's being used by his Coach and so on. His passionate play on court can make it seem like he's not a nice guy but it's not true. By no means would I compare him with the likes of AI, World Peace or even Kobe Bryant.

Indeed. He seems like a good dude to me. Seems intelligent, speaks well, doesn't get into trouble. He's just one of those crazy competitors who occasionally rub people the wrong way because of it. I love his attitude.

Looking at articles about DeMarcus, his attitude problems make a lot more sense. Going from being a consistent winner with a strong support system around him, to a bad organization without the same support system, high expectations, lots of losing, no veteran presence, and nobody to teach him how to deal and communicate with teammates who don't understand the game like he does?

Eh, to an extent. The thing that really soured me on him was when he threatened announcer Sean Elliott. Not to mention an altercation with the strength and conditioning coach. That stuff just isn't called for. The in-game stuff I can ascribe to a lack of veteran presence, but I still think he's got the potential for volatility like MWP down the road.